Bis(alpha-phenyl-4-bromobenzyl) ether



United States Patent Ofifice 2,926,196

Patented Feb. 23, 1960 or phenylsulfonic acid are admixed and the resulting admixture heated with continuous stirring for a period of 2,926,196 time at a temperature of 50 to 150 C. The heating HENYI THE may be carried out with the continuous distillation of the B186: P 4 BROMOBENZYL) E R 5 water of reaction together with some of the solvent sep- David A. Gordon, Midland, Mich., assignor to The Dow aration of the water and recycling of the solvent to the Chemical p y, Midland, Mich" a corporation of reaction zone. When operating under these conditions,

Delaware approximately the entire theoretical amount of water of D A fi Febm 3 1953 reaction, corresponding to the formation of the dimer,

N0 scrigl l hi 91 2543 ary is obtained. Upon completion of the reaction, the bra- (a-phenyl-4-bromobenzyl) ether may be separated by 1 Claimcooling the reaction mixture, whereupon the desired prod- This invention is directed to bis(a-pheny1-4-brom0- 16 various organic solvents.

y Ethel corresponding to the formula The following example illustrates the invention, but is Br Br not to be construed as limiting. Example 1 20 4-bromobenzhydrol (0.88 mole; 332 grams) and 1.5

grams of p-toluenesulfomc acid were dispersed in 600 milliliters of methylcyclohexane and the resulting mixture heated at the boiling temperature (101 C.) for two hours. During the heating, water of reaction and some This new ether compound is a crystalline solid someto room temperature. During the COOllllg, a bis(u-phenwhat soluble in many organic solvents and of very low yl-4-bromobenzyl) ether product precipitated in the resolubility in water. The compound is useful as a paraaction mixture as a white crystalline solid, and was sepsiticide and is adapted to be employed in dust and spray arated by filtration. This product was recrystallized compositions for the control of many insect, bacterial from petroleum ether and found to melt at 143 143.5

e new compound may be prepared by heating 4- The new bis(a-phenyl-4-bromobenzyl) ether of this inbromobenzhydrol corresponding to the formula vention is useful as a parasiticide and may be employed Br for the control of many pests. For such use, the comoils, in oil-in-water emulsions, or in water dispersions rust, of aqueous spray compositions containing 0.5 pound of bis(a-phcnyl-4-bromo-benzyl) ether per hundred galin the presence of a catalytic amount f a condensation lons of ultimate mixture gave substantially complete concatalyst whereby pairs of molecules of the 4-bromoof Wheat benzhydrol condense with the formation of water of re- I Flaim:

action. The condensation is carried out in the presence BIS(a'phenyl4bromobenzyl) etherof an inert solvent such as ligroin, toluene, or methylcyclohexane. Good results are obtained when employ- References c'ted m the file of Patenting a condensation catalyst, such as a mineral acid or an UNITED STATES PATENTS rylsulfonic aci in the amount 0f from 0.25 to 15 per- 2 224 5 F 1 Dec. 7 94 W l by Weight of thc employed 4-bromobenzhydrol. The 2:3 :203 a Jam 2 1945 condensation takes place smoothly at the temperature range of from 50 to 150 C. OTHER REFERENCES In carrying out the reaction, the 4bromobenzhydrol, March et al.: Iour. Econ. EntomoL, vol. 45 (1952) solvent and a catalyst such as hydrochloric acid, sulfuric pg. 853. 

